A basic and affordable phone for T-Mobile customers
The T-Mobile Revvl 7 Pro 5G ($249.99), a network exclusive, is a decent affordable phone. It offers good performance for the price, has solid battery life, and features a crisp and bright display. That said, we wish it came with less bloatware and had better cameras, faster 5G, and a clear support commitment from T-Mobile. The Samsung Galaxy A26 5G costs $50 more, but it’s compatible with more networks and will get more software updates. We haven’t tested it yet, but its predecessor, the Galaxy A25 5G, was our Editors‘ Choice winner in the $300 range. If you’re looking to spend less, the $199.99 Galaxy A16 5G also has better carrier compatibility and software support, making it our Editors‘ Choice for phones under $200.Design: Slippery Plastic
The Revvl 7 Pro measures 6.64 by 3.07 by 0.34 inches (HWD) and weighs 7.27 ounces, which borders on big. The Galaxy A25 (6.34 by 3.01 by 0.33 inches, 7.05 ounces) and the Galaxy A16 5G (6.47 by 3.07 by 0.31 inches, 7.06 ounces) are shorter, thinner, and lighter.
The Revvl is made of plastic and has thin bezels around its frame. The bezels at the top and bottom are slightly thicker than the sides. There’s a small circular cutout for the selfie camera at the top of the screen. The phone only comes in Azurite Blue, a bluish-gray. A volume rocker and pink power button are located on the right side. The power button includes a fingerprint sensor. The buttons make a distinct clicking sound when pressed. The combined SIM and microSD card slot is on the left side, while a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port, and speaker grille sit on the bottom edge.
The plastic back is incredibly slippery and easily collects dust and fingerprints. You’ll want to put a case on it to keep it from falling out of your hands. A black four-lens camera module sticks out from the top-left side. It looks premium, though it would be nice if its color matched the Azurite Blue.
Along with the aforementioned fingerprint sensor, you can unlock the phone with your face via the front camera. Both methods work well, though the fingerprint scanner is secure enough for banking apps while the camera method is not.
There is no IP rating for protection against dust and water. The Galaxy A25 also lacks an IP rating, though the Galaxy A16 is rated IP54, which protects against moderate splashing from water. Display: Bright and Sharp
The Revvl 7 Pro sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,436 by 1,080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The A16 has a 6.7-inch display with a similar resolution ( 2,340 by 1,080 pixels), but its refresh rate tops out at 90Hz, while the Galaxy A25 has a 6.5-inch screen (2,340 by 1,080 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate.
I found the display to be sufficiently bright and sharp. Text and pictures look crisp, and I was able to see the screen under most lighting conditions, including direct sunlight.
